Title: In the Garden

Choreographed and directed by Jessica Fogel in collaboration with Heidi Durning, Bipasha Guptaroy, and Biza Sompa

Premiere: February 8,9, 10 &11, 2007. Ann Arbor Dance Works. Matthaei Botanical Gardens (MGB) Conservatory, Ann Arbor, MI. Commissioned by MGB for their centennial celebration. Funded by the UM Arts on Earth Initiative, the UM Center for Japanese Studies, the UMMBG, and the Center for World Performance Studies.

Duration: 50 min.

Music: Listed below within scene description

Props: Jessica Fogel with Heidi Durning

Costume Design: Suzanne Young

Dancers: Rodney Brown, Jeremiah Crank, Heidi Durning, Raphael Griffin, Bipasha Guptaroy, Lana Hinojosa, Proma Khosla, Stephanie Overton, Christina Sears-Etter, Biza Sompa, Amanda Stanger-Read, Annabel Weiner, Alison Woerner

Description: In the Garden is a collage of individual scenes that brings forward the interdependencies of people and plants from a variety of vantage points. Dancers representing various global dance cultures draw inspiration from plant traditions found in their native countries. Movement is inspired by the plants as sources of aesthetic beauty, as means for healing, as commodities within a global economy. The plants also serve as inspiration for myth, folklore, and ceremony. The myth of Daphne and Apollo is threaded through the work. Apollo’s ravenous pursuit of Daphne becomes a symbol for the ways we have plundered our natural environment. Daphne’s transformation into a laurel tree triggers other transformations. Throughout the dance, different time frames are imagined and evoked, from the ancient world, to the colonial age, to the present day. The performers come together in a final ritual that celebrates water as an essential albeit limited resource that supports and links all plant, animal and human life. The performances were dedicated to the memory of Gay Delanghe. The audience was led through the conservatory by the ushers, pausing to watch each scene.

“And we’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden.” from Joni Mitchell’s song “Woodstock”

Dedication, as stated in the program: “These performances are dedicated to the memory of dancer and choreographer and UM Professor GAY DELANGHE (1941-2006). A brilliant dancer, beloved teacher, wise mentor, wonderful choreographer, and dear friend to many, Gay was a longtime member and former chair of the UM Dance Department. She was co-director of Ann Arbor Dance Works, and her spirited dances graced our concerts for over twenty years. In addition to her enormous gifts to the world in the field of dance, she cared deeply about protecting the environment. She was a great gardener, of people and plants.”

Order of Scenes:

1. Daphne: Stephanie Overton, with Jeremiah Crank, and Annabel Weiner
   Music: Aria from Apollo e Dafne by G.F. Handel
   “Most blest is this soul that loves only freedom. There is no peace, there is no

   calm if the heart is not unfettered.”

2. Remedy: Biza Sompa

   Music: Biza Sompa, drums

3. Chocolate: Rodney Brown and Alison Woerner

   Coffee: Christina Sears-Etter and Amanda Stanger-Read, with Heidi Durning Music: Greg Laman

4. Banyan: Bipasha Guptaroy and Proma Khosla
   Music: Raga Puriya Dhanashree performed by Shivkumar Sharma

5. Waterfall: Heidi Durning

6. Papyrus: Christina Sears-Etter and Amanda Stanger-Read

   Music: Taqasim on the Beat by Simon Shaheen

7. Bonsai: Heidi Durning and Annabel Weiner

   Music: Jahla, Sonata in Ishartum and Beverly's Troubadour Piece from Suite No.

   2, by Lou Harrison

8. Pursuit: Jeremiah Crank and Stephanie Overton

   Music: Excerpt from Daphne of the Dunes by Harry Partch

9. Lament: Jeremiah Crank, Stephanie Overton, with Christina Sears-Etter, Biza

   Sompa, and Amanda Stanger-Read

   Music: Aria from Apollo e Dafne by G.F. Handel

10. Tea: Rodney Brown, Jeremiah Crank, Christina Sears-Etter, Amanda Stanger-Read,

    and Alison Woerner
    Music: Waltz for Evelyn Hinrichsen from Suite No. 2, by Lou Harrison

11. Bittersweet: Jeremiah Crank, Heidi Durning, Bipasha Guptaroy, Lana Hinojosa, Proma Khosla, Christina Sears-Etter, Amanda Stanger-Read, Annabel Weiner, and Alison Woerner

    Music: Digital Sound Collage by Aaron Gold

12. Element: Ensemble

    Music: Electric Counterpoint #1 by Steve Reich

Program

Flyer

Poster

Choreographic journal notes

Photos below: Publicity shots of three of the nine dancers: Rodney Brown, Amanda Stanger-Read, and Alison Woerner.